Washing machine



Feb. 28, 1928.

c. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 16. 1925 Fla. I

lNvsN-rola Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,427

- c. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filled Nov. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOOR Feb. 28, 1928. 1,660,427 7 C. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov.16,- 1925, 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvENToR Feb. 28, 192 1,660,427

C. RUIZ WASHING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNvEN-roiaPATENT OFFICE.

cna'nnns RUIZ, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed li'ovember 16, 1925. Serial No. 69,378.

This invention relates to washing machines and is a continuation in partof my pending application No. 7 24,563, filed July 7, 1924.

According to certain features of this 1nvention, the clothes to bewashed are immersed in a liquid containing tank and by the action of apaddle movably-mounted within the tank the liquid is agitated in amanner to alternately build up and decrease the level thereof ateitherside of the paddle. The higher level of the liquid is built up atthe side of the paddle towards which the paddle is moving. I

The paddle is spaced from the bottom of the tank in a manner to form apassage or by-pass through which the clothes are passed from one end tothe other of the tank by the force of a current which is generatedthrough said passage owing to the difierential head of the liquid atboth sides of the paddle.

The clothes are driven from one side to the other of the paddle by theforce of the current but owing to the sudden reversal of the'current andto the inertia of the clothes the liquid is forced through the mesh ofthe clothes in a manner to gently extract the dirt from the meshthereof.

In the present reduction to practice of the invention the paddle isrockably mounted in the sides of the tank and extends substantially thefull width of the tank. The paddle, according to one form of theinvention, is

secured to a cross-shaft which is operatively' connected to means forimparting to the same a rocking motion. Since the edges of the paddleare very near the' sides of the tank'it has been found that the clothesare liable to be wedged between thepaddle and the sides of the tankwhich is objectionable. To guard gainst this condition, the paddle ispreferably made with side plates forming an integral part thereof. Theside plates are formed so that the portions thereof which are immersedin the liquid resemble circular discs having their centers on the axisof the paddle-supporting shaft. In this manner, the relative movementbetween the edges of the plates and the sides of the tank is so smallthat completely precludes the possibility of catching the clothestherebetween.

One of the features of this invention relates toits noiseless operation.Due to the action of the driving mechanism, which imparts to the paddlea uniformly accelerated and decreasing motion, the paddle is graduallystarted to swing at its extreme positions and then the ratio of speed isgradually increased until it reaches its central or vertical position atwhich time its rate of speed is gradually decreased to a dead stop,previous to reversing the direction of travel upon reaching its extremeposition. Since the paddle is gradually brought to a dead stop, there isno splash and therefore no noise is produced within the tank although aviolent current is generated which is effective to thoroughly wash theclothes.

Heretofore, one of the objections to washing machines has beentheirbulkiness. Owing to the peculiar design of the existing machinesthey have been always made either round or square. Both shapes areinadequate for small apartments where room is at a premium specially inthe kitchen where the machines are usually operated. The presentinvention, however, provides a machine of oblong configuration whichsticks to the wall and is out of the Way; A machine of six sheetscapacity can be made one foot widewhich is half of the width' adopted bythe manufacturer of the smallest machine ever marketed.

Another feature of this invention relates to its low power consumption.Owing to its peculiar design the paddle is oscillated to keep the liquidmoving. Once the liquid is started to move it practically helps themovementof the paddle and works much on the theory of a pendulum. Itwill be noted that when the paddle is started to move after having builtthe level of the liquid the liquid itself tends to move in the samedirection in which the paddle is moving thereby helping the motor in itspropulsion. I

According to certain features of this invention, there is provided anovel wringer and mechanism for operatively connecting the same to acontinuously running motor. Said wringer is provided with mechanism forrunning the rolls in eitner forward or reverse direction and forstopping the rolls signed to actuate upon a pressure spring which holdsthe rolls under compression to squeeze the clothes therebetween. Still afurther feature relates to the manner of constructing the wringer frame.Said frame is adapted to be manufactured at a minimum cost. The frame ismade in two halves, split through the bearings which are all in oneplane. The mechanism is assembled in one half of the frame and then theother half is placed over the first half, the two being secured togetherby means of screws.

Novel means are provided in this invention for rocking the paddle.Broadly stated, said means may comprise an eccentric disc operativelyconnected to a continuously running shaft and a rocking shaft parallelto said first mentioned shaft and operatively connected, by means of apitman, to the shaft upon which the blade is rockably mounted. Accordingto one form of the invention the paddle is releasable from itssupporting shaft and may be swung upwardly for the purpose ofcleaningthe sides of the tank.

According to another form of the invention, there is provided adetachable paddle and a draining basket. It is proposed to firstwithdraw the paddle and then to raise the draining basket above thewater level from its normal position, on the bottom of the tank, andthen to hang the basket on the sides of the tank long enough for theclothes to drain. Heretofore, the clothes had to be withdrawn from thetank, one piece at the time, and due to the fact the solvent liquid issometimes very hot and injurious to the hands, this was, of course,objectionable. According to this invention the clothes need not bepassed through the wringer after washing but are held in the basket todrain, for a few minutes, to allow the clothes to cool off, preparatoryto being immersed in another tub to be rinsed off. This feature of theinvention tends to generally simplify the washing process by eliminatingthe necessity of immersing the hands in hot, soapy water which is a mostdistasteful and objectionable task.

Sometimes it is desired to oscillate the paddle, to wash the clotheswhile the wringer is running, whereas, at other times, it is desired torun the wringer singly. To this end, novel mechanism is provided whichis effective to either connect or disconnect the paddle to acontinuously running shaft operatively connected to a high speed motor.In this manner it is possible to stop the paddle while the motor isrunning thereby permitting the the use of the wringer to pass theclothes from the machine to the rinsing tub.

Another feature of this invention relates to the structure of themachine. There is provided a cast frame mounted on angle pieces at thecorners thereof, the tank of the machine being borne by said frame andbeing reinforced by said angle pieces. Owing to the design of themachine, the floor space occupied is considerably reduced, the tankbeing made narrow, long and deep. For a twenty gallon capacity it isproposed to construct the machine one foot wide and-about two feet long.

Novel means are provided for securing the casters to the angle pieces atthe corners of the machine. Said means may include a core of insulatingmaterial having a hole for receiving the stem of the casters and asquare tube snugly fitting over the core and the angle pieces to holdthe core against the inner side of the angle pieces.

Other features and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure 1 is a back view of the machine and shows the wringer and thepitman for operating the paddle.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the machine.

Figure 3 is a side view in elevation and shows the handle for connectingand disconnecting the paddle.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the means for operativelyconnecting the paddle to its shaft.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through the line 55 of Figure 8.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the paddle operating mechanismoperatively connected to the wringer shaft.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through the wringeroperating shaft.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the motor shaft, and showsthe eccentric for operating the paddle.

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are diagrammatic views of the machine and show theprocess of withdrawing a draining basket from the bottom of the machineto be hung above the water level to drain the clothes.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view in elevation through the center ofthe paddle and shows a modified form of the invention in which aremovable paddle is shown in combination with a draining basket.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view in elevation through the wringershaft and shows the swinging shaft therefor.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view through the line 1414 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a CI'OSz'I-SGCtiOIlEIl view through the upper roll of thewringer and through the center of its operating mechanism.

Figure 16 is a front view of the wringer with one half of the casingremoved, and shows the operating mechanism.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view through Figure 19 is across-sectional view through the line 1919 of Figure 16.

The machine comprises a tank 10, partly filled with a solvent liquidwhich is agitated by means of a paddle 11, fast to a shaft 12,

which shaft is ournaled in the sides "of thetank. The paddle extendssubstantially the full width of the tank between the front and rearsides thereof, a clearance being provided between the paddle and thebottom of the tank to permit the passage, of the liquid from one side tothe other of the tank.

In order to prevent accidental wedging of the clothes between the edgesof the paddle and the sides of the tank, the paddle is provided withside plates 13. The plates may either form an integral part of thepaddle as shown, or may be made in the form of independent plates fastto the edges of the paddle. The effect of the plates is to reduce therelative movement between the paddle and the sides of the tank so thatif the clothes come in contact with the edges ofthe paddle said clotheswill not be forced against the sides of the tank. Theoretically theperiphery of the plates should be circular hav- 22 and is operativelyconnected, by means of a flexible coupling 25, to a worm shaft 24 whichcarries, fast thereto, a worm 26. The end load of the worm 26 is carriedby an end-thrust bearing 27 backed by a'bushing 28 which serves as ajournal for the shaft 24. Saidbushing 28 is secured to the frame 13 by,means of a screw 29.

In orderthat oil may be retained in the frame 13 to lubricate the movingparts, there is provided a cup-washer 30 at one end of the shaft 24, andat the other end of said shaft thereis provided a nut 31, screwed intothe frame 13, the nut co-operating with the end of a bushing 32- to holdthe packing. Said bushing 32 is secured to the frame by means of a screw33.

The worm 26 is effective to rotate, at a reduced speed, a worm gear 34fast to .the shaft 17 which is revolubly mounted in bushings 35 in theframe 13. "The ratio of speed reduction between the worm and the wormand the worm-gear may be one to forty when using a motor running at aspeed of 1725 R. P. M. which will of course, rotate the shaft 17 atabout 43 R.

ing the center of the outer edge or circum- P M ference on the shaft 12upon which the paddle is rocked. However, in order to facilitatehandling of the paddle when the same is removed from the machine, it isfound advantageous to build the plates in the form shown in thedrawings. The plates are circular but the center of their peripheries isnot on the shaft 12 but much below the same. In this construction, therelative movement 1 between the paddle and the sides of the tank isalmost neglegible and it has been found 'to work very well in practice.

The tank 10 is supported by a frame 13, of substantially the same sizeas the tank, and has reinforcing angle pieces 14, at the cornersthereof, the angle pieces being S84 cured-to the frame by means ofscrews 15. The tank is secured to the angle pieces 14, at the topthereof, by means of screws 16.

There is provided mechanism designed to oscillate the paddle and torotate the wringer. Said mechanism is completely en closed in the frame13 and may comprise a continuous runnin shaft 17, and a rock shaft 18,the latter eing operatively connected to the former and to the paddle.

The shaft 12 has an arm 19, fast thereto, operatively connected by meansof a pitman 20, to an arm 21, fast to the shaft 18. The operatingconnection between the paddle and the rock-shaft 18 isillustratedinFigure 1,

The rock-shaft 18 is parallel to the shaft- 17 and carries, at the endthereof and fast thereto, a crank 36 which is operatively connected toan eccentric disc 37 by means of a connecting member 38. Said connectingmember is pivotally mounted on a pin 39, drivenfast into the crank 36,and in order to hold the member 38 in place, there may be provided ascrew 40 and a washer 41, as shown in Figure 7.

The eccentric disc 37 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 17 and may becaused to rotate therewith by means of- .a driving pin 42, in theWormgear 34, which interposes a pin 43 fast td the disc 37. The pin 42is normally held out of engagement with the pin 43 by means of a spring44, and may be forced to its effective position, againstthe tension ofthe spring, by means of a handle 45 at the side of the tank. Said handleis secured to a cross-shaft 46, journaled in'the frame 13, the shaftbeing swung by the operation of the handle to move an operating member47 fast thereto by means of a set-screw 50. Said member 47 is providedwith fingers 48,

designed to engage with a collar 49 loosely mounted on the shaft 17, thecollar being effective to engage with the head of the pin 43 therebyforcing the pin in the path of the pin 43 so as to carry the disctherewith.

The bushings 35 are longitudinally located against displacement by meansof screws 52, the shaft ,17 being in turn located by means of a collar53'fast thereto.

In order to locate the shaft 18 against lateral displacement, the sameis journaled in-bushings 54 secured to the frame 13 by means of screws55. The shaft has fast thereto, at both ends thereof, the crank 36 andthe arm 21 which are fitted in close proximity to the ends of thebushings 54, thereby positioning the shaft.

According to one form of the invention, the paddle 11 is secured to theshaft 12 by means of a thumb screw 56 which is threaded into the paddleat 57 and has a tapered portion 58 fitting into a taper hole in theshaft. Said tapered portion terminates with a cylindrical end 59 whichenters a small hole 60 in the paddle. By means of this arrange ment itis possible to disconnect the paddle from its driving shaft by looseningthe screw, the shaft being then withdrawn, if desired, to completelyremove the paddle. In this form of the invention, the shaft is journaledin bearings 61 fast to the sides of the tank 10.

According to another form of this invention, means are provided wherebythe paddle may be easily and quickly removed from the tank for thepurpose of cleaning the tank and in order that a draining basket may behung above the water level to drain the clothes. There may be provided apair of finger pieces 62 designed to be drawn inwardly in order toremove the paddle. One of the pieces 62 is pipe-threaded or otherwisesecured to a pivot shaft 63 journaled in a bearing 61, whereas the otherfinger piece is fast to a driving shaft 64 which is operativelyconnected to a rock-shaft 66 by means of a key-and-key-way arrangement65.v The shaft 66 is journaled in a supporting bracket 67 fast to thetank, the operating arm 19 being, in this form of the invention, fast tothe shaft 66.

Both, the pivot and the driving shafts are held in their effectivepositions by means of springs 68 which are compressed when the fingerpieces 62 are operated. The travel or movement of said shafts is limitedby elongated slots 68 through which the finger pieces are passed to besecured to the shafts, the paddle being driven by means of the fingerpieces.

Referring more particularly to Figures 9, 1'0 and 11, in which adraining basket 68 is shown, it willbe noted that the paddle is firstremoved as shown in Figure 10 and then the basket is elevated above thelevel of the liquid, so as to drain the clothes preparatory to theirbeing rinsed in another tub. In order to facilitate the handling of thebasket, there may be provided handles 69, fastthereto, the handles beingprovided with hooks 70, at the end thereof, by means of which the basketis hung to the sides of the tank, as shown in Figure 11.

In order to facilitate moving the machine, casters 71 are provided whichare rotatably mounted at the ends of the angle pieces 14. Novel meansare- -provided for mounting said casters in a manner to insulate themachine from the floor, the method of mounting the casters isfurthermore simple, neat nd inexpensive. To this'end, there is provideda core 72, for each angle piece, each core having a hole therein forreceiving a sleeve 73 in which the stem of the caster is rotatablymounted in a manner as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The cores are held inplace, tightly bearing against the inner sides of the angle pieces 14,by means of square tubes 74 which are driven over both the cores and theangle pieces, as shown in Figure 14.

For the purpose of operating the wringer, there is provided an uprightshaft 75, operatively connected to the shaft 17 by means of bevel gears7 6 and 77. Said shaft 75 is journaled in a bushing 78 secured to abracket 79, which bracket is fast to the frame 13 by means'of screws 80and to the tankby means of screws 81.

Since it is desired to operate the wringer in either of four positions,the same is swingably mounted on a. supporting sleeve 82, to which thewriuger is secured. Said sleeve has a bushing 83, fast thereto, whichserves as an upper bearing for the shaft 75.

The wringer comprises a frame for enclosing all moving parts and is madein two halves respectively numbered 84 and 85. Owing to the design ofsaid wringer frame, in which all the bearings are in the same plane,thesame is adapted to be die cast thereby eliminating expensivemachining operations and consequently. reducing the cost of the machine.

There are provided two rubber rolls 86 and 87, revolubly mounted in thewringer frame, the latter being operatively connected to the motor. Theroll 86 is driven by contact with theroll 87.

lin order that the rolls may be caused to rotate in either direction andin order that their operation may be rendered ineffective withoutnecessitating the stopping of the motor, there is provided mechanismwhich while broadly old it embodies, nevertheless, some novel features.

Said mechanism comprises a pair of bevel gears 88 and 89, rotatablymounted on a shaft 90 in line with the roll 87 to which it isoperatively connected by means of a sleeve 91, fast to a shaft 92 uponwhich the roll 87 is mounted. The two bevel gears are operativelymeshing with a driving gear 93 fast to the shaft 75 as shown in Fig. 16.

The shaft 90 has, fast thereto, a collar 94 having a groove 95 designedto engage with a roller 96 which is eccentrically mounted on a. shaft 97journaled in the wringer frame. Said shaft 97 may be swung to any ofthree operating positions, in which positions will either stop the rollsor operate them forward or reverse. To this end, there is provided ahandle 98 fast to Said means may comprlse a locking memsaid shaft, andby swinging the same the shaft 90 is moved into engagement with eitherof the two gear 88 or 89. Said bevel gears are provided with pins 99,forming an integral part thereof, which pins are de signed to interposeteeth 100 in thecollar 94 thereby driving the shaft together with thegear engaging the teeth in the collar. In order that the handle 98 maybe resiliently held in any of itsthree operating positions there may beprovided a ball 101 anl a spring 102 cooperating therewith to force theball into depressions in the hub of the handle, each depressioncorresponding to a position of the handle.

Means are provided for locking the wringer in any of four operatingpositions.

her 103, pivotally mounted at 104. Said locking member is designed toengage in slots 105, in the bracket 79 and is held in its lockedposition by means of a plunger 106, actuated by a spring 107.

The plunger 106 may also serve as a foolproof-lock to prevent theoperation of the rolls when the wringer is being swung and also toprevent the swinging of the wringer when the rolls are running. To thisend, there is provided a turneddown groove 108, in the shaft 90, thegroove being in line with the plunger 106. By glancing at Figure 16 itwill be apparent that when the locking member 103 is swung to disengagethe slots 105, the'plunger will be moved upwardly into the groove 108thereby preventing the longitudinal displacement of the shaft 90,whereas if the shaft 90 is moved in "either direction; to be engagedwith any of the gears 88 or 89, then the shaft itself will be in thepath of the plunger 106, thereby rendering it impossible to release thelocking member 103. It will be further noted, by inspecting said Figure1 16, that the shaft 90 is operatively connected to the sleeve 91 bymeans of a pin 109, fast thereto, the pin engaging with the sides of aslot 110 in the'sleeve, thereby permitting the longitudinal displacementof the shaft 90, while at the same time providing a positive drivingconnection between the two members.

The upper roll 86 is fast toa shaft 111, which protrudes, at the endsthereof, and. is journaled in bushings 112, which bushings arelooselymounted inthe wringer frame. In order to resiliently hold the tworolls in engagement, there is provided a bow-spring 113 which pressesdownwardly the bearings 112 and is backed, at the center, by a stud 114operatively mounted in the wringer frame.

Sometimes it is desired to instantaneously release the-pressure on therolls. To this end, the stud 114 is threaded in a nut 115 which ispivotally mounted in thewringer frame by means of studs 116, formin anintegral part of the nut. In order to re ease the pressure on the roll,accordingto this invention, the stud 114 is swung to either side of itsnormal position shown in Figure 16. For the purpose of facilitating theswinging of the stud, there may be provided a roller 117, rotatablymounted on a pin 118, fast to a bracket 119 in which the end 120 of thestud 114 is rotatably mounted. Said bracket is held in place, at the endof the stud, by means of a in 121. The stud 114 may be rotated in or erto. regulate the pressure on the spring 113. For the purpose of holdingthe stud in its normal position, there may be provided a pin 123,engaging with a hole in the nut 115, which pin is held in engagementtherewith by the action of a spring 124, the spring being secured to thewringer frame by, means of a screw 125. The two frames 84 and 85 areheldtogether by means of screws 126. in a manner as shown in Figure 19.

i In order to conduct the water which is squeezed out of the clothesbeing passed between the rolls, there is provided a drain plate 127,removably mounted on a shaft 128, fast to the wringer frame. The plateis reversible and maybe com letely removed,

.if desired. By means of a ocking member with the shaft 128 and hold theplate against,

heels 133 of the, wringer frame.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention,andportions of the improvement may be used without others.

Having thus described by invention, I claim:

1. In a washing machine having a tank,

a paddle within the tank for agitating a liquid therein, a shaftjournaled in the sides of the tank, and means for securing sai paddle tosaid shaft, said means including a finger piece threaded into the bodyof the paddle and having a tapered extension to enter a tapered hole inthe shaft thereby providing a positive connection between the paddle andthe shaft.

2. A washing machine, including-in combination, a tank having twoparallel sides, a paddle 'rockably mounted in said parallel sides, saidpaddle being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage forthe clothes, said paddle being manually detachable. v

v 3. A washing machine having a. fixed tank for containing a solventliquid and clothes,

and oscillating means disposed intermediate the ends of said tank foralternately building up and decreasing the level of the liquid at eachend of the tank, the differential head of the liquid being efiective togenerate a current of the liquid at the bottom of the tank, first in onedirection, then in the other, the force of the current being effectiveto carry the clothes therewith from one end to the other of the tank,said means being spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage topermit said clothes to pass freely from one end of said tank to theother end.

4. A washing machine including a fixed tank for containing a solventliquid and clothes, a liquid agitating element for engaging the liquidto alternately build up and decrease the level of the liquid at bothsides of said liquid agitating element, the latter being spaced from thebottom of the tank to form a passage for the clothes immersed in theliquid which clothes, by the force of a current generated by thedifferential head of the liquid, are carried through said passage fromone side to the other of said liquid agitating element.

5. A washing machine including a tank for containing a solvent liquidand clothes,

said tank having two parallel sides, a paddle Within the tank and meansfor actuating the paddle in a manner to alternatel build up and decreasethe level of the liquid at both ends of the tank, said paddle extendingfrom one side to the other'of the tank, between said parallel sides, andbeing spaced from the bottom of the tank to form a passage for theliquid and the clothes, the differential head of the liquid at both endsof the tank being effective to generate a current of the liquid throughsaid passage, first in one direction, then in the other, and saidcurrent being effective to carry the clothes theiewith from one end tothe other of the tan 6. In a washing machine, in combination, arectangular tank for containing liquid and clothes, a paddle Within thetank hung by its uppermost edge to a rock shaft journaled in the sidesof the tank, said paddle being spaced from the bottom of the tank toprovide a passage for the liquid and the clothes, means for imparting tosaid paddle a rocking motion, said motion being effective to alternatelybuild up and then decrease the level of the liquid at both sides of thepaddle thereby forcing the liquid and the clothes from one side to theother of the paddle, and means for preventing the wedging of the clothesbetween the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank, said lastmentioned means being also effective to prevent the passage of theliquid between the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank.

7. In a washing machine, in combination,

a rectangular tank for containing a solvent liquid and clothes. a paddlewithin the tank for agitating the liquid, said paddle extendingsubstantially the full width of the tank and being spaced from thebottom thereof to form a passage for the clothes and the liquid, meansfor oscillating the paddle, and means on the ends of said paddle forpreventing the wedging of the clothes between the paddle and the sidesof the tank, said last mentioned means being also efi'ective to preventthe passage of the liquid therethrough.

8. The combination, in a washing machine, of a tank having two parallelsides, said tank containing liquid and clothes therein, a

paddle fast to a supporting shaft journaled in the parallel sides ofsaid tank, said paddle extending substantially the full width of thetank between said parallel sides and spaced from the bottom thereofforming a passage, between itself and the bottom ofthe'tank, for theliquid and the clothes in the tank, means for imparting to said paddlean oscillating motion thereby generating a current of the liquid throughsaid passage, and means for preventing the wedging of the clothesbetween the edges of the paddle and the sides of the tank, said lastmentioned means including side plates fast to the edges of the paddleand parallel to the parallel sides of the tank.

In testimony whereof, I- aflix my signature.

CHAS. RUIZ.

